NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 22 – Kenya finished top of the medals table at the World Athletics Under-20 Championships at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani, the men’s 4x400m relay team putting an end to the event with a bronze in the final day, taking Kenya’s tally to 16.
Kenya won eight gold medals, a silver and seven bronze.
This bettered Kenya’s last performance in Tampere, Finland, three years ago when the team amassed 11 medals.
The 4x400m team were determined to end the Championship with a medal and despite starting off in front in the first lap, they couldn’t hold the momentum as Botswana clinched gold with Jamaica coming home second for silver.
The Kenyan quartet of Joshua Wanyonyi, Elkanah Kiprotich, Kennedy Kimeu and Peter Kithome timed 3mins, 05.94secs to finish third while Botswana were winners in a World Under-20 lead time of 3mins, 05.22secs.
Jamaica finished second in a sizzling race that put up an assured end to the five-day Championship.
Wanyonyi ran the first lap for the Kenyan team and came home first to pass the baton over to Kiprotich. The latter started off well, but went low on gas at the home stretch to come into the exchange at third, Kimeu taking up.
The latter maintained the same pace to pass the baton to Kimeu at third, with the Kenyan striding away closing in on second spot. Despite the gap reducing, Kithome who ran the anchor leg could not lower the placing as Kenya guarded for third.
Kenya’s gold medalists were Emmanuel Wanyonyi (800m), Amos Serem, Jackline Chepkoech (3,000m steeplechase), Teresia Muthoni (3000m) Vincent Keter, Purity Chepkirui (1500m), Benson Kiplangat (5,000m), Heristone Wanyonyi (10,000m walk).
The lone silver was won by Zena Jemutai in the 3,000m while Noah Kibet (1500m), Levy Kibet (5,000m), Simon Koech, Faith Cherotich (3,000m steeplechase), Sylvia Chelangat (400m), Winnie Jemutai (1500m) and the 4x400m men’s relay team winning bronze.
